Since September 11, 2001, and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, our military has been fully engaged around the world protecting our national security interests. This engagement does not come without a cost, and that human cost is substantial. Veterans face some tough obstacles in their transition back to being productive members of civilian life. They have a difficult time with employment: younger veterans are twice as likely to be unemployed as their non-veteran counterparts; and, one in five veterans returning to civilian life from a recent combat tour is unemployed. Veterans also have a challenging time with housing; while veterans are approximately only nine percent of the population, they account for 26% of the homeless. In fact, by one count, there are currently over 5,000 homeless veterans here in Pennsylvania alone. In addition to housing and employment, there are other struggles for veterans when they return to civilian life. One study has determined that approximately one third of all veterans returning from a recent combat tour will experience some form of mental health issues. Contrary to popular opinion the government is not handling all of these issues. It is our duty as fellow veterans, as Americans, to provide a helping hand when needed.

For over 25 years, VLP, through your support, has been answering that call to duty. VLP performed over 4,800 incidences of service to veterans, service members, and their family members in 2008, an increase of nearly 220% from 2007. We were instrumental in the recent establishment of Veterans Court, a local court giving veterans a second chance, and will coordinate all supporting social services for this very important venture. VLP helped organized the first Stand Down since 1995, helping veterans in need. There are other success stories you can read about in VLP Viewpoint, our newsletter, which is posted on this web site. However, the bottom-line is in today?s environment of ever increasing frequency and lengths of combat tours and a tough economy to come home to, veterans, service members and their families need our help more than ever.

Today we ask you to please donate, volunteer, refer vets in need to us, or just spread the word about all the good works VLP is doing. Thank you for supporting VLP and please return to this site often to learn of new ways in which you can be of service.

Yours in Service,
Frank J. DeCarlo
Chairman, VLP Board of Directors

Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran